Blake Lively has vowed to continue her fight against “digital violence” after a judge dismissed most of her claims against co-star Justin Baldoni. The actor’s sexual harassment allegations were largely dismissed, but some key claims will go to trial next month.

In an Instagram statement shared on April 4, Lively said she looked forward to telling her story in court. “The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but personally and professionally I faced widespread retaliation for demanding a safe working environment for myself and others and I have brought this case,” she wrote.

Read the statement here:

Lively has alleged sexual harassment during the production of her project and claims that after raising concerns, Baldoni and his publicists conducted a digital smear campaign to damage her reputation. However, on Thursday Judge Lewis Lyman dismissed 10 of 13 claims, including sexual harassment, defamation and conspiracy.

The judge allowed three claims to proceed to trial: retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract. Lyman ruled that Lively could not bring a sexual harassment claim under federal law because she was an independent contractor, not an employee. Additionally, since production was in New Jersey California harassment laws did not apply.

Lively urged her supporters not to dismiss the case as “celebrity drama”, saying that the framing was meant to prevent people from recognizing themselves in her story. “The physical pain caused by digital violence is very real,” he said. “This is abuse. And it’s everywhere. Not just in the news, but in your communities and schools.” He emphasized that retaliation and digital attacks affect many people, not just public figures.

Here’s another statement from the actor’s legal team:

Judge Lyman found that Lively had made a plausible case that she had a good faith basis for her harassment complaints. This means a jury will decide whether he faced unlawful retaliation for speaking out. Meanwhile, her agency WME, which has distanced itself from Baldoni, expressed support for Lively and her remaining claims.

See also

Entertainment

Shilpa Shetty hesitates to work in Malayalam films, says that he will not be able to do justice

WME’s statement praised Lively for standing up in an industry that often pressures women to remain silent. It says she has shown “courage, moral clarity and extraordinary determination” and has helped expose “the devastating harm caused by covert digital takedown campaigns designed to intimidate, discredit and stifle the truth”.

A magistrate judge has scheduled a call for Monday to discuss updated settlement conditions. Lively’s lawyer, Sigrid McCauley, suggested that exposing those behind the digital attacks was an important achievement.

However, Lively is committed to testifying at trial in May to continue to highlight the issue of online retaliation.